Yee-haw!
A great round-up of 230 wrangler-guests attended the Long Beach Cancer League’s annual Sundance Soiree on Sept. 19. Held on the patio of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the event raised more than $200,000, “trailblazing for a cure and giving cancer the boot!” That money will help MemorialCare’s Long Beach hospitals deliver an array of life-changing support and services to cancer patients of all ages.
Gayle Pillsbury accepted the league’s inaugural Roaring Star Award on behalf of longtime member Lynne Pillsbury. The award was in recognition of her mother’s decades of service, leadership and volunteerism with the Long Beach Cancer League and throughout the Long Beach community.
The evening had something for everyone in the country-couture audience, which had a boot-stompin’ great time. The live honky-tonk music stimulated line-dancing and a great deal of down-home fun. Country fare provided savory grub and whet the appetites of the crowd. Fixin’s were provided by Boathouse on the Bay, Georgia’s at LBX, TGIS Catering, Jimmy E’s and Joe Jost’s.
Seen at the Scene: Rob Gunsalus, Sofia Riley, Georgi Kolsky, Liz Acord, Lissette Flores, Lara Khouri, Katrin Grauer, Fay Abed and Sheryl Stewart, Jeannette and Lou Rampino, Ned and Barbara Gaylord, Jennifer Petersen, Dr. Grant and Debbie Uba, Darick Simpson, Nancy Foster, Jill Rosenberg, The Honorable Alan Lowenthal and Dr. Debbie Malumed, Dr. Bryna Kane and Jerry Kaufman, Dr. Joel and Lyn Epstein, Drs. Mariusz and Aleksandra Wirga, Drs. Jonathan Blitzer and Carole Warde.
Assistance League of Long Beach Thrift and Vintage
Tammy Kline, Dorothy McDermott, Rosemary Zarn and Kerri Birnie at Assistance League of Long Beach Thrift and Vintage. (Courtesy photo)
Sept. 25 was a special day for the Assistance League of Long Beach, which kicked off the celebration of its 35th anniversary of its Thrift and Vintage shop being a part of the Fourth Street community.
More than 50 community members, member volunteers, community volunteers and staff were on hand for the successful fundraising event.
Dotty McDermott, a member volunteer, since 1986, unlocked the doors for the celebration that she helped organize 35 years ago. She has been a weekly volunteer since. She currently serves as the co-chair, with Mimi Fox, of the jewelry department, where they carefully curate the jewelry to be sold.
The highly successful thrift shop helps support the Assistance League’s 11 philanthropic programs: ALa Carte, Assault Survivor Kits, Assisteens, Howard and Asian Art Collection, Kids on the Block, Launching Literacy, CAMEO Mentoring, Operation School Bell, Orthodontic Program, acholarships, and vocational training.
“Glitz!” a series five holiday events — “Glimmer, Glam, Glow, Glee and Gifts” — will be hosted by the thrift shop this month and next to continue the anniversary excitement.
Seen at the Scene: Assistance League President Rosemary Zarn and Thrift Shop Chair Kerri Birnie. Also staff Executive Director Colleen Bragalone, Thrift Shop Manager Tammy Kine, Raquel Cornell, Nick Galvan, Daisy Rameriz and Wendy Parden.
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.